Ecology
The Water Framework Directive is centered on achieving “Good Ecological Status” or “Good Ecological Potential”, with all measures targeting improvements in ecology.
1 WFD Biological Quality Elements
Ecological Overall Status is the overarching classification for ecology, it takes into consideration phys-chem status elements such as dissolved oxygen, phosphorous and ammonia (see Water Quality page) as well as specific pollutants such as Annex VIII substances. We wish to simplify this and provide sight of just biological quality elements on this page so as not to overlap with the evidence shown on the water quality page. Biological quality elements are as follows:
Fish
Invertebrates
Macrophytes & Phytobenthos
The lowest score in a waterbody for the above items is adopted as the “Biological Quality Elements” classification for that waterbody.
In the 2022 interim WFD classification, the Parrett saw 2% of waterbodies achieved Bad, whilst 20% of waterbodies achieved Good, and 4% of waterbodies achieved High.
In comparison, the 2019 WFD classification saw 2% at Bad, with 18% at Good, and 4% at High.
1.1 Reasons for Not Achieving Good
Use the below ‘Search’ box to to search for a waterbody or classification element and scroll through RNAGs and Measures. Click the ‘Excel’ button to download a spreadsheet.
1.2 Measures
Measures for the waterbodies identified above are shown in the table below.
2 Monitoring Data
The below pop-up plots show the latest interim WFD classification (2022) for the individual elements the make up the WFD Biological Quality Elements. These are visualised at a waterbody and site level.
3 Third Party Data
This initial evidence pack doesn’t include any ecological Water Company data, only data taken directly from the Riverfly Partnership. Third-parties often have a different or un-aligned monitoring agenda to the Environment Agency. Eventually through influence, priorities can be aligned, however, initially data may not be exactly where the EA would require it. Here we view a site mean for citizen science riverfly sites from 2022 onwards.